Pennsylvania is the #8 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,668,648 students across the 2,928 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are , serving 273,513 students). 86% of all K-12 students in Pennsylvania attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Pennsylvania is 38%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 55%.
The top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania are Downingtown Stem Academy, Pleasant Valley Elementary School, and Fairview Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 39%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Pennsylvania (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Downingtown Stem Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
335 Manor Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 269-8460
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 269-8460
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Pleasant Valley Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
250 E Mcmurray Rd
Canonsburg, PA 15317
(724) 941-6260
Canonsburg, PA 15317
(724) 941-6260
Rank: #33.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
738 Dorseyville Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 963-9315
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 963-9315
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Bradford Woods Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
41 Forest Road
Bradfordwoods, PA 15015
(724) 935-5081
Bradfordwoods, PA 15015
(724) 935-5081
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Central High School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1700 W Olney Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 400-3590
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 400-3590
Rank: #66.
Ithan Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
695 Clyde Rd
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 527-1357
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 527-1357
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Bower Hill Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
424 Bower Hill Road
Venetia, PA 15367
(724) 941-0913
Venetia, PA 15367
(724) 941-0913
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Mccormick Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
2801 Beaver Grade Rd
Coraopolis, PA 15108
(412) 264-9440
Coraopolis, PA 15108
(412) 264-9440
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Wexford Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
250 Brown Road
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-4631
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-4631
Rank: #1010.
Merion Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
549 S Bowman Ave
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 645-1470
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 645-1470
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id="state-rank">State Acdeamy<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class="so-dt-title" id="state-revenue-and-spending">State Revenue and Spending
This State (PA)
US
# Schools
2,928 Schools
100,795 Schools
# Students
1,668,648 Students
49,494,734 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
124,158 Teachers
3,241,124 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
State Average (PA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
43%
Graduation Rate
87%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
60%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
Diversity Score
0.59
0.70
# American Indian Students
3,204 Students
477,337 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
78,034 Students
2,755,585 Students
% Asian Students
5%
6%
# Hispanic Students
249,018 Students
14,721,043 Students
% Hispanic Students
15%
30%
# Black Students
237,342 Students
7,323,773 Students
% Black Students
14%
15%
# White Students
1,011,502 Students
21,491,186 Students
% White Students
61%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,518 Students
185,312 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
88,750 Students
2,514,798 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
This State (PA)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$39,541 MM
Spending (23-24)
$38,578 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$23,696
Spending / Student (23-24)
$23,119
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class="list-title center">Best Pennsylvania Public Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania include Downingtown Stem Academy, Pleasant Valley Elementary School, and Fairview Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Pennsylvania?
2,928 public schools are located in Pennsylvania.
What percentage of students in Pennsylvania go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Pennsylvania attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pennsylvania?
Minority enrollment in Pennsylvania is 39%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black.
Which public schools in Pennsylvania are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pennsylvania include: Orefield Middle School vs. Springhouse Middle School, Bloomsburg Area Middle School vs. Central Columbia Middle School, Western Wayne High School vs. Honesdale High School
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